Prayer to Open the Legislative Session for the Minnesota State House of Representatives

The following prayer was offered through an invitation of the Minnesota State House of Representatives, to open their legislative session at the Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul, Minn.) on May 8, 2015.

Youthful and Spirited God, we gather: Thankful for the days that have been, enthusiastic for this day that is, and hopeful for the days that could be.

In this moment, for the sake of your movement, may we see with refined clarity and act with reformed charity.

May we be moved beyond what is trivial and take part in matters that most matter. May we say “yes” to the principled visions: that honor the movement of peace, that promote life in its fullness, that unite the insights and convictions of all, that lift up the wisdom of sages and saints, of prophets and heretics, alike.

We commit this day, together, to become more passionate and compassionate people.

So we ask this day, together, that you fill our minds with childlike curiosity and a holy devotion for learning, that you open our burning hearts with motivation for the liberation of all creation, that you shape our formative wills to be and do what is right and just, and that you bless us always with a faithful desire to create alongside you and make all things new.

May this time, together, be blessed, O God.

This is our prayer. We trust it is your desire. Amen.

The Rev. Brian E. Konkol serves as a Chaplain of the College at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. An ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), he holds degrees from Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI), Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN), and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). He blogs at http://briankristenkonkol.blogspot.com and tweets @BrianKonkol